This is the second and final chapter that I will be
posting. More information can be found on Time To Go at my web site
at: www.timthestoryguy.us.
As always, please send all comments to: timthestoryguy@yahoo.com.
Thanks, and enjoy the story.

2

King Sammi and Michael got into the car with Sammi's new
bodyguard, who was named Pauli. Then they set out to see the city of
Agorra. The streets were very clean and beautiful, and as Sammi had
said, many of the citizens wore very little clothes as they went
about their way.

"I'm beginning to feel a little overdressed now."
joked Michael.

"Then take off as many of your clothes as you feel
comfortable with removing." replied Sammi as he smiled. "If
you feel comfortable with being nearly naked all the time, no one
will ever say anything to you."

"But then when I'm with you, I would feel
underdressed." replied Michael.

"There is nothing I can do about that Michael."
stated Sammi compassionately. "As the King, the rules are a bit
different for me now. I have to maintain a minimum level of decorum
at all times while in public, which includes a minimum dress code. I
would however love to see the man I want as my mate dressed in as
little as possible though." Then Sammi gave Michael a sly wink.

"Why your Highness, whatever do you have in mind?"
asked Michael in a fake, shocked southern drawl.

"I'm so glad you asked that!" replied Sammi.
Sammi then reached into a plain bag he had brought with him, and
produced a thin pair of shorts and a pair of sandals. "Can you
take off those bulky clothes, and put these on?" asked Sammi.

"Do you mean strip naked right here in front of
Pauli?" asked Michael in disbelief.

"I'm sure Pauli will not mind at all." said
Sammi. "Is that right Pauli?"

"The King is quite right Michael." replied
Pauli. "I have seen thousands of naked bodies in my time, as it
is really not that uncommon here in Kirelli. It it will make you feel
better though, I will close my eyes when you get down to your
underwear."

"That's okay Pauli, you don't have to do that."
replied Michael. "I guess I have to get use to different customs
eventually. I hope to be Sammi's mate after he takes a Queen."

That was the first time Michael had outright answered
Sammi's veiled proposals to him, and it brought a single tear of
happiness to Sammi's eye. The small droplet of clear liquid was not
missed by Michael.

"Are you okay Sammi?" asked Michael. "Is
this about your father?"

"Although I loved my father, and I'll miss him
forever, this is about something else." replied Sammi. "That
was a tear of happiness. All throughout my final year of university
here in Kirelli, I had a nagging dream that I needed to study in the
United States. I even dreamt of which university I should attend.
Princeton was not merely pulled out of a hat. I knew that there was
something there that I needed to find. That something turned out to
be someone, you Michael."

"When you sat me down the night before last, how
did you know that I was gay, and I had feelings for you?" asked
Michael.

"I didn't!" laughed Sammi. "I was scared
to death that I was preparing to proposition a straight man, and that
you would beat me silly. I'm glad that wasn't the case though. When
you just said that you want to be my mate, it made me incredibly
happy that I had found what I went in search of."

"Can you tell me that you love me again Sammi?"
asked Michael.

Sammi gazed deeply into Michael's crystal blue eyes, as
if he were looking into his soul, and said, "I love you so very
much Michael. I traveled halfway around the world just to find you
and tell you that."

Michael looked into Sammi's eyes with equal intensity
and said, "I love you more than I can describe Sammi. I lost my
family as a very small child, and I've missed them ever since. Now I
feel as though you have come to be my family, so I don't have to feel
that pain anymore." At that moment, a single tear also escaped
from Michael's eye.

Sammi and Michael then shared the warmest and longest
hug they had shared yet, while Pauli busied himself by looking out
the window. Once Sammi and Michael parted, Michael went about taking
off all of his clothes so he could wear whatever Sammi wanted him to
wear. Finally, Michael was ready for Sammi.

"I've never known a real home for most of my life."
said Michael. "I very much want this to be my home."

The sightseeing tour then continued. Michael was amazed
by the crisp clearness of the air in Kirelli, and the brilliant azure
skies. Michael had not seen skies that deeply blue in a very long
time. The trees in Kirelli were very lush and green. Michael knew
that they resembled some of the types of trees back in the States,
but he had never seen them look as beautiful as they did here. The
streets were clean and smooth, and all of the buildings seemed modern
and just as clean. All of the buildings except for the royal palace,
of course. Although the royal palace was immaculate, it looked as
though it had been there for centuries. The people that Michael saw
as they passed by were just as amazing. They seemed more carefree and
happy than Michael ever knew was possible. Most of them wore nothing
more than what Michael had on now, and they seemed to revel in their
openness. Michael did occasionally spot people who were dressed in a
little less than he had on, but even if they were naked, no one
seemed to care or bother them.

Michael finally turned back to Sammi and said, "This
is all so beautiful Sammi. It's almost like you are the King of
Paradise! You mentioned something about going to University here in
Kirelli. Would it be possible for me to finish my education here?"

"You may have to take some catch up courses, but if
you want to do that, I don't see why it would be a problem."
replied Sammi. "Our education is slightly more advanced than it
is in the United States. That's why it's possible for us to live so
long, eradicate so many diseases, and even plan a flight to Mars."

"I hope I don't feel too inadequate if I decide to
continue my education." said Michael.

"It shouldn't be too bad." laughed Sammi. "The
courses we took at Princeton would be the equivalent of high school
courses here, but I'm sure you could catch up easily. Have you seen
enough of the beautiful city of Agorra?"

"I guess so." replied Michael. "It's so
beautiful that I don't think that it could get more so."

"You ain't seen nothin' yet." chuckled Sammi.
"Pauli, have the driver take us outside the city to the south."

As they got well outside the city, the scenery took
Michael's breath away. The country side was lush and green, and the
lushness came right up to the pavement of the road. The road itself
gently glided over the hills and through the valleys, giving the
appearance of the backdrops from The Wizard of Oz. Michael almost
expected to see the Scarecrow, flailing away in a field next to the
road, or the Tin Woodsman in the next grove of trees. It was so
surreal and beautiful that Michael physically could not speak for
quite a few minutes.

"This was always one of my favorite places outside
the city." laughed Sammi. "It almost resembles the scenery
from The Wizard of Oz, doesn't it?"

"I'm afraid extra sensory perception isn't a power
we've been able to master, except in a few rare occasions."
laughed Sammi. "It's pretty much the same for us as it is for
the rest of the world."

"I've never seen such beautiful countryside, except
in movies though." said Michael, still in awe.

"That's because we do things differently here."
said Sammi. "When we build roads, we find that it's best to
follow the topography of the area. When you cut through a hill, or
fill in a low spot to build the road, it tends to be ugly. Not to
mention that it increases the effect of erosion. We absolutely abhor
doing anything to harm the Earth or the environment."

"I still can't believe how beautiful it is here!"
remarked Michael.

"If it weren't getting late, I would suggest we go
to the park about ten more miles ahead." said Sammi. "It
goes right down to a crystal blue clear stream that the road
eventually crosses over. I'm afraid we must be turning around now and
getting back though."

Sammi had the driver turn around, and head back toward
the city. The transition between country and city was very abrupt,
which Michael had not noticed on the way out. Coming back in though,
it too almost looked surreal. Once they arrived back at the royal
palace, Pauli checked to make sure everything was safe and normal,
then everyone headed inside. Michael and Sammi went back to Sammi's
quarters, where they called for Sammi's servant to serve them both
dinner. As Sammi and Michael ate and talked, Bobbi called to speak
with Sammi immediately. Sammi let his chief advisor in, and sat back
down next to Michael.

"Your Highness, I have urgent news that I need to
discuss with you in private." said Bobbi.

"We are in private Bobbi." replied Sammi.
"Michael has consented to be my mate once a Queen has been
chosen. Anything you can say to me, you can say to him as well."

"As you wish Your Highness." said Bobbi. "I
managed to track down the scientist your father spoke to before he
was murdered. He would not speak to me though. He said that it was
for his and my safety. The only one he will speak to is you, and he
requests that you meet him alone. He did say that this is a matter of
life and death for everyone we know. I arranged a meeting, and you
will go to see him tomorrow morning. I will give the location to your
driver when you are ready to leave."

"Are you sure this isn't some kind of trap?"
asked Sammi.

"I have checked everything out thoroughly Your
Highness." replied Bobbi. "This is on the up and up, and
anything he tells you should be regarded as absolute truth. I just
wish I could find your father's killers by morning, which is why I
will work on it all night."

"Thank you Bobbi." said Sammi. "Your
service to Kirelli is already invaluable. I will see you in the
morning."

That night's sleep was fitful for both Sammi and
Michael. Sammi would be given the information tomorrow that his
father was killed over, and it made both of them very nervous. They
were both awakened in the middle of the night at the same time, by
the same nightmare. After a long and torturous night, morning finally
came.

As Sammi was preparing to leave, he heard a knock at his
door. It was no surprise that Michael was already up and dressed, as
Sammi let him in.

"Are we ready to go?" asked Michael.

"The man that I'm seeing said that he wants to see
me alone Michael." replied Sammi. "This could be very
dangerous."

"That's exactly why I don't care what the man
said!" said Michael with conviction. "Whatever he is going
to tell you today is serious enough that it got your father killed. I
don't intend on hearing about the same thing happening to you, so I'm
going with you."

"I could order you as the King to stay here."
said Sammi.

"You won't do that though Sammi." replied
Michael. "You know how much I care about you, and how much that
would hurt me."

Sammi finally softened his stance with Michael and said,
"Okay, you can go. I hope you don't spook this guy though.
Whatever this is, it sounds like it has him pretty scared too."

Sammi finished getting ready, then he and Michael met
Pauli and two of his men by the car. Pauli would have one of his men
driving this morning, as he wouldn't trust this to just anyone. Bobbi
finally came outside the palace, and went over to Sammi and the
driver.

"You are to drive south out of the city." said
Bobbi. "About fifteen miles outside the city, you will come
across a park by a stream. You will be approached by our scientist's
contact there. He will ask you if the sun seems brighter than usual,
and you will reply only when the moon's not out. Then he will give
you directions to our scientist. I have still not found your father's
killers Your Highness, so please be careful and stay alert. I am
getting closer to finding them though."

"I shall be very careful Bobbi." replied
Sammi. "Thank you for your service, and I hope you find them
soon."

Sammi and his group followed Bobbi's directions, and
headed south out of the city. Everyone in the car was very nervous
about the trip they were taking, as this was deadly serious business.

"I guess we'll get to see that park after all."
said Sammi, in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"I'm sure it will be wonderful, as long as we're
together." replied Michael. "Thank you for letting me come
with you Sammi. I love you."

"I love you too Michael, and I can't think of
anyone that I'd rather have with me right now, except maybe for
Superman." replied Sammi, as he smiled.

That was enough to lighten the mood in the car, and the
trip passed by fairly quickly. Soon, the car pulled into the park
that Bobbi had directed them to. Sammi, Michael, and Pauli cautiously
got out, and walked slowly toward the stream.

"You're right about how beautiful this place is."
said Michael, as they came to the stream. "I wish we were seeing
it under different circumstances though."

"Don't worry Michael, I will do everything I can to
keep both of you safe." said Pauli.

"Does the sun seem brighter than usual today?"
asked a man who had come up behind the group.

"Only when the moon is not out." replied
Sammi.

"Greetings, Your Highness." said the man. "I
take it these are your guards."

"One of them is my guard." replied Sammi. "The
other will be my mate, once I have chosen a Queen."

"Very well Your Highness." said the man. "You
are to continue south until you come to the next crossroad. Turn left
on that road, then right on the next one. After the right turn,
you'll go about two miles until you come to a large boulder beside
the road. You won't miss it, I promise. Pull into the driveway on the
left, and follow it to the farmhouse there. Then go directly to the
barn. Remember that he wants to see you alone. Good luck Your
Highness."

The man quickly ran off, so Sammi and the other two went
back to their car. Once they were in the car, and the driver had been
given the directions, Sammi's breathing became deeper. Michael
noticed that right away.

"Are you okay Sammi?" asked Michael.

"I guess I'm doing pretty good considering that I'm
about to find out what my father was killed over." replied
Sammi.

"I'll be with you all the time though." said
Michael, as he took Sammi's trembling hand.

That was enough to calm Sammi down, and he turned and
smiled warmly at Michael. The directions were very accurate, and the
driver followed them to the letter. They finally came across the
large boulder, then the car pulled into the driveway immediately
after it.

As they drove up to the farmhouse, everything looked
eerily quiet. Before Sammi could get out, Pauli wanted to have a look
around. After a few minutes, Pauli was convinced that it was safe.

"Are you sure that you want to take Michael with
you, Your Highness?" asked Pauli. "The man did say he
wanted to see you alone."

"Michael goes wherever I go." replied Sammi.
"Our scientist friend will have to get use to that!"

Sammi and Michael got out of the car, and slowly
approached the barn. Sammi carefully opened the door a crack, and
peered inside the barn cautiously. It seemed to be fairly well lit
for a barn, so Sammi and Michael went on in. As they walked toward
the back of the barn, a voice called out, "I thought you were
asked to come alone!"

Sammi didn't see anyone else but Michael, so he called
out, "This is my mate. I'll go nowhere without him, and he can
hear whatever I hear!"

A man stepped from around a corner in the barn, and
said, "Very well then Your Highness, but his life is now in
danger along with ours. Please follow me."

Sammi and Michael followed the man into what appeared to
be a stall, but turned out to be a workroom the scientist had set up.
The man went over and leaned against a counter, facing Sammi and
Michael.

"I am Doctor Henri Fause." said the man.
"There have always been groups that have opposed my research,
but as my findings have become more dire, the groups have become more
violent. Most of the groups I know about, and they would not resort
to murder. There is one group that broke away from one of the less
violent ones though, and they are the ones who killed your father. I
have never been able to find out the identity of anyone in this
group, as they are very secretive."

"Why would people oppose you to the point of
killing my father?" asked Sammi.

"Because some people don't want to hear what I have
to say." replied Henri. "They want to bury their heads in
the sand until the sand boils their head, and the sand will
eventually get that hot. They feel that we can fix any problem that
comes along, but some things are beyond even our realm of
possibility. There is a time when we should pack and run, and hope
we've learned something."

"This is starting to sound like some kind of
Doomsday forecast." said Sammi light-heartedly.

"It is, Your Highness!" replied Henri. "I
would suggest you not take it lightly! Our Earth is a living and
breathing planet. As with anything that is alive, you can only poison
it so much before it dies. Our Earth is getting ready to begin the
dying process. Other societies do know this, but they fool themselves
into thinking that they have plenty of time to come up with a way to
fix the damage they have done. We may indeed be able to develop a way
to slow the dying process down, but the trend is now irreversible."

"How could the rest of the world let this happen?"
asked Sammi, now wide eyed.

"We have been sending messages to them for decades
now." replied Henri. "Unfortunately, the rest of the world
does not think the way we do about this planet. They have been using
the planet's resources recklessly, and abusing the planet's
environment for a century and a half now. They feel that they can
continue to do so, and solve any problems that arise because of it.
Now, allow me to explain what has happened here."

"I'm all ears Henri." replied Sammi.

"Good." said Henri. "Our planet's
ecosystem is a delicate balance. It was originally designed to
maintain itself, but every element of our environment has to be in
good working order for this to happen. Our land has been cleared and
poisoned, and our oceans have been poisoned as well. They are to the
point where they cannot maintain the health of our planet's
atmosphere. The most serious problem is one that I'm sure you've
already heard about. The Earth's ozone layer has been dissipating for
quite some time, and we cannot stop it now. We may be able to slow it
down, but the eventual outcome is inevitable. As the ozone layer
dissipates further, our planet will continue to warm and more of the
sun's radiation will make it to Earth. Cancers due to exposure to the
sun will become more and more common, and our oceans will begin to
warm. This will cause an increase in storms, and in their intensity.
Finally, the ozone layer will begin to collapse. Holes in the layer
will open up and close at random across the planet. Anyone caught in
such an opening will die quickly. The land will be heated to the
point where it turns to glass as these openings get larger and last
longer. In the last days of our planet, the icecaps will melt,
stopping the oceans currents. The planet will no longer be able to
regulate it's temperature, and it will begin to cool. By the time it
is over, we will be left with a big, lifeless, frozen marble,
floating in space. I'm not overstating what will happen Your
Highness. I've rechecked my research and calculations thousands of
times."

Michael and Sammi were both frozen in shock. Sammi
finally asked, "How long will this take? What can we do?"

"Other scientists from the nations that did this to
us do not have the capacity to research this properly." said
Henri. "From their calculations, which are not nearly as correct
as ours, they believe that this will take hundreds or thousands of
years. We have collected more, and much better data than them, and
our planet will be that frozen marble in ten years, give or take a
year or two. The only option left to us is to develop our light speed
propulsion systems, and leave this planet. We need to act on this
now. In the meantime, we can try to slow down the dying process of
the planet, and possibly give ourselves a few more years. We need to
be traveling at light speed within a years time though. Your father
was killed because someone does not want this information to become
public. They know it is the truth, but they wrongfully think they can
fix things. Your father was going to announce to the people that he
was stepping up our program to travel beyond the speed of light."

"And I agree with my father." said Sammi.

"Then you are now in as much danger as he was, and
I am." said Henri. "The only way to protect yourself is to
get this information to the people as quickly as possible. Once
everyone knows what is happening and what you are doing, no one will
be able to stop it."

"Will we be able to make it back to the city alive
Henri?" asked Sammi.

"Your father didn't, and I won't even try it."
replied Henri.

"Then we will leave here to the east, and make a
wide path around the city." said Sammi. "My father's father
has built a secret palace at the beginning of the mountains to the
north. It is set up so that Kirelli can be ruled from there if
necessary. My grandfather told me on his death bed when I was a
little boy that he had built it for me to use someday. I guess he had
a feeling that something like this would happen someday."

"How long will it take to get there?" asked
Michael.

"If we leave now and drive as fast as our vehicle
will go, we should be there by nightfall." replied Sammi. "Get
ready to go Henri, you're coming with us!"

"Yes Your Highness, but what about my equipment?"
asked Henri. "I will need that to help slow things down for us."

"Once we make the announcement from the mountain
palace, we can come back to it." replied Sammi. "We need to
go now though!"

The three men ran to the car as soon as Henri packed a
few things. Michael and Sammi got in back, next to Pauli, and Henri
sat up front with the other two guards. Sammi gave the driver
directions that would keep them well clear of Agorra, and the driver
took off as fast as he could at Sammi's orders.

"I take it we're not going back to the city Your
Highness?" asked Pauli.

"We can't." replied Sammi. "If we try to
do that, we will end up the same as my father. I have someplace else
we can go though."

Then Sammi made a secure call to Bobbi, with his signal
being scrambled. "Hello Bobbi, have you found my father's
killers yet?" asked Sammi.

"Not yet Your Highness." replied Bobbi. "I
am getting closer though."

"I might be able to make things easier for you."
said Sammi. "I will not be returning to the palace tonight, but
I will make an announcement to all of our people at nine o'clock this
evening. Make the arrangements for our broadcast system to take over
all television and radio channels at that time, and I'll call you
just before nine with instructions. This is very urgent Bobbi, and I
can see why they would kill my father because of it."

"I will make all of the arrangements Your
Highness." replied Bobbi. "If there is anyway that you can,
please call me later to let me know that you are safe."

"I will Bobbi, but I have your best guards with
me." said Sammi. "Let's hope for the sake of the world that
they keep me safe."

The trip to the mountain palace was very long, but due
to the speed that the driver traveled, it wasn't boring. Pauli did
remind his driver several times to drive safely. Sammi and Michael
spent the trip holding each other's hand, and sitting close together.
Henri had not slept in days, so the trip made him sleepy right away.
He ended up falling asleep, leaning against the guard who sat in the
middle. The guard put his arm over Henri's shoulder, and smiled at
the sleeping genius. Sammi and Michael had to suppress a giggle when
they noticed that, and Pauli just shook his head as he smiled. Once
they had traveled half the distance to the mountains, Sammi gave the
driver the rest of the directions to the palace. Then the day took
it's toll on Sammi, as he drifted off while leaning against Michael.
Pauli had been talking to his driver for several minutes, when he
finally noticed this.

"I'm very glad he found you Michael." said
Pauli. "You look as though you will take very good care of our
King. You are a very welcome addition to our kingdom."

"Thank you Pauli." replied Michael. "He
has been a good friend to me when I had no one. He has given me
feelings that I never thought I would experience. I will sacrifice
anything to protect him."

The rest of the trip went very quietly. The group who
killed Sammi's father had apparently not planned on Sammi having
somewhere else to retreat to. The car finally pulled up to a
spectacular palace, built into a hillside. The great plains could
still be seen through the gap between the hills in front of the
palace. The outside was so grand that it made everyone who was awake
gasp in it's beauty. While the guard up front woke Henri, Michael
gently shook Sammi awake.

"We're here Sammi." said Michael, as Sammi
began to awaken. "It's so beautiful too. I could have never
dreamt of anything like this!"

"My grandfather did have a flair for the dramatic."
smiled Sammi.

The first thing Sammi did was make a brief call to
Bobbi, to let him know that they had arrived safely at their
destination. After telling Bobbi that he would call back later with
instructions, Sammi went to make sure that the broadcast equipment at
the palace was still in good working order. Everyone was relieved
when everything checked out in perfect condition. Now they had to
prepare to tell the citizens of Kirelli that the world would be
ending in a very short period of time. As Sammi thought about that,
the reality of the situation hit him. Fortunately Michael was there
to hold him until he had gotten use to what he had to tell everyone.
Sammi had Henri get ready too, because he would have to help explain
what had happened to their world.

At fifteen minutes before the announcement was to begin,
Sammi called Bobbi back on his secured line. "Okay Bobbi, you
should be getting a clear signal now on our official broadcast
frequency." said Sammi.

"Yes Your Highness, we have it." replied
Bobbi.

"Good!" said Sammi. "Now I am going to
synchronize the equipment here and there, and we are going to
scramble the transmission securely. We can't afford to have anyone
intercept this signal. It will unscramble on your end, and go out to
all of our kingdom."

Once the adjustments were made, it was almost time to
go. Sammi and Henri went into the small studio together, and Sammi
gave Bobbi the word to break in to all of the communications networks
in Kirelli. Then the red light in the studio came on.

"Good evening loyal subjects, and fellow citizens
of Kirelli." said Sammi. "As you know, I have taken over
the crown after the death of my father. My father's death was not an
accident though. He was murdered because he knew what I am about to
talk to you about tonight. The Earth that we live on has begun the
process of dying. In spite of what some others think, like those who
killed my father, there is nothing that can be done to stop this. We
may be able to slow the process down, but eventually life will cease
to exist on this planet. We do have a plan to save our people though.
Before I explain that, I would like Doctor Henri Fause to explain
what I have just told you."

"Good evening everyone, and I wish I were talking
to you under different circumstances." said Henri. "The
Earth that we live on has been poisoned by the industrialized nations
outside of Kirelli for well over a century now. Since the Earth is a
delicate living planet, this poisoning has begun killing it. Our
ozone layer, that protects the Earth from the radiation of the sun is
now depleting at a rate that cannot be stopped. The earth will heat
up as a result of this, and when the polar icecaps melt, it will cool
off to the point of freezing the entire planet. Mine and my
colleagues calculations have been rechecked thousands of times, and
there are no mistakes about this. This process will be completed in
about ten years, and we MAY be able to slow it down as much as an
additional five years. In a very short time though, the Earth will be
a dead frozen planet."

"I do not want anyone to panic right now."
said Sammi. "As I have said, we do have a way to save our
people. It may involve some risks, but we have no other alternative
right now, as time is very important. Our light speed propulsion
program has been going along at a conservative pace for many years
now. The pace is due mainly to safety considerations. I am ordering
the program accelerated to a pace where we will achieve light speed
within one year. My father talked with many of the people in the
program, and they feel that if their theories and calculations are
correct, we can achieve that goal. The risk is that if they are not
correct, it could result in the most massive explosion the Earth has
ever known. If we do not accept this risk though, we will all die
within the next fifteen years at the most. I myself wish to live
longer than that. I am also ordering construction to begin on a fleet
of starships that will be capable of transporting our people to
another livable planet that is not occupied, or who will accept us
graciously if it is occupied. We would prefer the first choice
though. These plans will require some of our people to accelerate
their education and intelligence to a new level, while it will
require others to work around the clock to build what is necessary to
accomplish this goal. I have the utmost faith in our people that we
can do this. Our plan will take effect as of right now. Please trust
and have faith in your fellow citizens that we will do this in time
to save our people from the extinction that faces the rest of the
planet. We have to remain focused on our goal at all times, and
cannot afford any type of panic. If we are successful, there will be
no reason to panic. Thank you everyone, and may the spirits be with
us on this mission."

When the transmission light went out, Sammi let out a
heavy sigh and slumped to the desk. Michael rushed into the studio,
and helped Sammi to his quarters so he could rest. There was an
urgent call from Bobbi for Sammi when they got there, so Michael took
the call.

"Is this really true Michael?" asked Bobbi in
disbelief. "How could this be true? How can people kill the very
planet that they depend on for their survival?"

"As someone from the outside world, I can tell you
that some people outside Kirelli have given very little thought to
the way they have been treating this planet." replied Michael.
"A few of us always thought we had time to make a difference,
but it seems as though we were wrong. Knowing the way the outside
world works though, they will probably kill each other off when they
finally realize what is happening to them."

"I'm very glad I'm here in Kirelli then." said
Bobbi. "It sounds like it's going to be horrible out there soon.
I'm also glad that you came here Michael. I don't think Sammi could
have gone through this without you. You know, you may be the last
outsider that ever comes into Kirelli."

"I wish it didn't have to be that way, but there's
only so much we can do right now." said Michael. "We can't
save the whole world, and the time for them to save themselves has
passed. Right now I'm just hoping that we can save ourselves. Sammi
says we can though, and I believe him."

"I guess that's the kind of faith we all need right
now Michael." replied Bobbi. "Sammi is going to have the
opportunity to be the first King in our history to save his people,
and I think he can do it with your help."

"Thanks Bobbi, I'll let him know you said that."
said Michael. "We'll be home by tomorrow evening, and I'm sure
you two will have a lot to discuss then. Take care of yourself this
evening Bobbi, and I'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

"And you take care of our young King." replied
Bobbi. "He needs you so much right now, seeing as he has the
fate of our people on his shoulders."

As soon as Michael made sure Sammi was resting
comfortably, he retired to his room for the night. This had been one
of the longest days he had ever experienced, and he needed to rest
badly. Pauli was prepared to remain awake throughout the night
though, to make sure the palace remained secure.

The next morning everyone was jarred awake by a call
from Bobbi. The group who had been responsible for the death of
Sammi's father had been caught that morning, as they tried to sneak
into a research facility to destroy it. They caused no damage to the
facility, and were taken into custody without much of a struggle.
This was good news to Pauli and Sammi, as they now prepared to return
to Agorra. Michael was overjoyed by the news, since it meant that
Agorra was safe to return to now.

The trip home was much calmer than their journey to the
mountains yesterday. It was a chance for Pauli to get some much
needed rest. It also gave Sammi the opportunity to convince Henri to
move his research back to the city. Now that the news was out, and a
plan had been revealed to deal with the problem, things would be sure
to be much safer for everyone. As they drove into the city, people
seemed much more subdued now though. It seemed as though paradise had
now been shattered with the news that in a decade it would no longer
exist. Sammi knew that he had to convince everyone that paradise
could be found elsewhere now. As the car neared the palace, the
streets seemed to be blocked with people and television crews. Bobbi
met the group several blocks from the palace, and guided them around
to the back. Everyone still had to make a dash for the palace when
they pulled up around back though.

Once everyone was inside the palace, Sammi threw his
arms around Bobbi and said, "It's good to see you my friend!
It's getting kind of crazy out there, isn't it?"

"It's been this way all morning, Your Highness."
replied Bobbi. "We have to prepare to make a statement for the
television crews out front. They have a million questions, and I
can't answer them."

"Well then, let's have a little conference first."
said Sammi. "Can you get our space minister and public works
minister here right away?"

"I already have them on stand by Your Highness."
replied Bobbi. "They can be here in the palace in fifteen
minutes."

"I knew my choice in you as chief advisor was a
great choice!" said Sammi appreciatively. "When we go out
there, we have to be ready for any question, and I want all of my top
people with me out there. That includes you Michael."

"I guess I better prepare then." said Michael.

Michael felt honored to be included in this group,
although he couldn't fathom how he qualified. He knew that he had to
freshen up and clear his mind to handle this honor though. If there
was one thing Michael always prided himself on, it was his grace
under pressure. Michael didn't know it, but other people had begun to
notice that too. After Michael had cleaned up, he almost literally
bumped into Bobbi outside his quarters.

"You're having a hard time understanding why Sammi
has placed so much honor on you, aren't you?" asked Bobbi.

"That would be the understatement of the year!"
laughed Michael nervously.

"It's because of how you seem to stay so cool when
the pressure is turned on." said Bobbi. "I know Sammi
admires that just as much as he admires you physically. You are the
one person he needs right now to help him pull this off, and he wants
you with him constantly now. I'm so glad you are there for him
Michael."

"Did he tell you this?" asked Michael.

"He didn't say a word to me about it." replied
Bobbi. "I have been around his family for a long time, and I
know him even better than he thinks I do. I always knew that he was
destined to fulfill a great purpose, but he needs you to do that. You
are now his inner strength."

"I'll try not to let everyone down then."
promised Michael.

"Now my new friend, let's get to that conference!"
said Bobbi. "I think everyone is waiting for us before they
begin."

The conference lasted for a little more than an hour,
with everyone being heard from. The space and public works ministers
shared what they were doing to get things started quickly, and
assured Sammi that they could do what would be asked of them. Henri
would buy them as much time as he could, which would help ease public
panic. Pauli and Bobbi were ready to handle security and public
information, and Michael would step in whenever Sammi needed him, and
do whatever was asked. Then they discussed the mechanics and physics
of exactly what needed to be done. By the end, everyone was confident
that they could complete this mission. Now it was time to go out and
answer the questions of the people of Kirelli.

Once again, this is all that will be posted of this
story. More information can be found on Time To Go on my web site at:
www.timthestoryguy.us.
Thank you for reading this special preview.